Best Man's Wedding Speech Template - Free Download To Fill In

When it comes to wedding speeches, some relish them, some dread them. But, they have become a staple at weddings and it’s no wonder. Writing and performing a best man’s speech is a momentous part of a wedding.

So I’ve created a best man wedding speech template for you to download, print and fill out to help create the structure of your very own, bespoke speech. Not to mention top tips and unique ideas to perform your speech which will help ease any nerves, so you can actually enjoy this special experience.

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Best Man Wedding Speech Template

Here’s a quick overview of an example structure for a best man’s speech. Then at the end of this article, you can download your own document to edit and guide you through writing your own personalised speech. There will be prompts and ideas to help inspire your text. All you need to do is fill in the blanks!

• Announcement of the beginning of speeches (if you are first)
• Hello and welcome – introduce yourself
• Thank guests for attending/travelling
• Talk about the bride/groom as individuals
• Speak about the happy couple and their relationship together
• Mention the day so far, what is to come and share any thank yous
• Toast

 Photo: Helen Rose Photography via Dusky Pink Taupe Wedding

 

Best Man Speech Writing Tips

Once you’ve downloaded your best man’s speech template, try and be guided by these top tips.

You Don’t Need To Be Funny

Contrary to popular opinion, your speech doesn’t need to be inducing belly laughs. Now, you may be a natural joker and adding hilarious one-liners or anecdotes may come easily for you. If this is the case – great stuff. But, if forcing humourous lines or thinking of unique stories makes you break into a cold sweat. Ditch the idea.

Instead, write authentically and on the day some natural humour may find its way into your speech regardless. Ultimately, meaningful or touching wording will be remembered more than a cringy joke that may (or may not) land well.

Don’t Try Too Hard

If you try too hard to be clever or make a super long speech, you may lose guests attention and your words may lose their impact. Sometimes a short and sweet speech may be remembered more than a 4-page essay that gets forgotten by bored guests.

 Photo: Paola De Paola via Mustard Yellow Wedding Ideas

 

Keep Things Simple

Keeping your speech text simple and clear will make for easy listening (and reading!).  A wedding speech doesn’t need to be showstopping, perfect or have any crazy gimmicks. Focus on what a wedding speech is meant to really be all about. The couples’ day, their relationship story and the loved ones around them.

Always Be True To You

Are your often the person who gives a toast at family parties or is a confident presenter? Then simply be you. If this is a part of the wedding day you are going to enjoy, be sure to make the most of it. However, if presenting the best man speech is out of your comfort zone, focus solely on being authentic.

If you are a person of a few words, a few words are all that’s truly required. If you aren’t formal in style, keep your style relaxed and laid back. Just don’t forget the key toast and speak about the happy couple.

Give Yourself Plenty Of Time

Please don’t leave writing the speech to the morning, or the night before the wedding. It may seem better to delay writing a speech due to nerves. But facing writing the speech head-on and slowly making preparations will leave you feeling more confident before the celebrations.

However, if you are here at the last minute, don’t worry. There is still time and it’s not too late to nail the speech wording. Take a deep breath, find a peaceful location, put on some relaxing music and stating making some notes. For inspiration try playing songs that remind you of the couple or looking at photos old photos.

 Photo: Agrestal Visuals via Waterside Country Barn Wedding

 

How Long Should A Best Man’s Speech Be?

Speech length is key. Imagine sitting at a wedding as a guest, could you sit for 30 minutes per speech? Guessed not. As a guest, you’d want time chatting, partying and drinking. Be sure to ask the couple for their timeline to see the maximum time given for all the wedding speeches. It’s a good idea to keep your best man’s speech within 10 minutes as a rough guideline. But around 3-5 minutes is likely to suffice.

In terms of word count, it’s approximately 500-700 words for a 5-minute speech or 1000-1400 words for a 10-minute speech. Of course, this all depends on how quickly you deliver your words and if there are any interruptions to your speech.

It’s important to read out your draft aloud as you would expect to and time it to decide if the length works well.

Send Your Draft To A Friend

Consider sending your speech draft to a trusted friend, loved one or the couple (if they don’t wish to have a surprise) to read over. They could help suggest edits or reassure you that you have the speech written well. Hopefully, you’ll then feel more confident about your speech moment at the wedding.

 Photo: Emily Montay via Wooden Wedding Ideas

 

Best Man’s Speech Performance Advice

Now you’ve written and polished your speech text, how do you go about presenting it with confidence and flare?

Your Speech Won’t Be Perfect – And That’s OK!

First up, there is no such thing as a perfect speech or a perfect speech performance. If you have a ‘mess up’ or wobble on your delivery, that’s totally fine. Don’t forget every the crowd are rooting for you and are there to have a good time.

 Photo: Brad Gommon Photography via Endeavour Woodland Weddings

 

Consider Alternative Presentation Options

If you just can’t face standing up solo and reading the best man’s speech think about these ideas:

• Do a joint speech with other wedding party members
• Bring a loved one up to help
• Prepare a slideshow presentation
• Create a video in advance to play on a screen
• Prefer singing? Sing it
• Consider a rhyming poem
• Rap
• Write a letter and place it on each guest’s place setting
• Just do a quick toast
• Dancer? Prepare a dance performance
• Use props
• Ask others to record a short video to make a compilation film
• Flashmob

It’s fun to think outside of the box and not feel like you have to live up to expectations or tradition, especially if the couple is planning an alternative modern day. It’s about the meaning behind your intentions and your heartfelt efforts. Rather than a formal, rigid tradition that doesn’t suit you or their day.

If in doubt consult with the couple, their wedding planner or a key wedding party member – unless you wish to keep it a surprise.

 Photo: Natalie Silvester Photography via Blue White Wedding Ideas

 

Practice Practice Practice

Practice your speech, either on your own or in front of a trusted mate. Practising will help your words flow more naturally and you may end up being able to go without a printout. But be sure to have your text with you just in case.

It’s nice to make eye contact, have good posture and use your hands to help express yourself too. If you can’t imagine giving eye contact, try picking a spot at the back of the room to focus on. Find out if you need a microphone and ask the couple if this is provided. You may wish to practise with a microphone too if so.

Banishing Nerves

The speech may feel like the most nerve-wracking experience that’s playing on your mind. But, don’t fret, this is completely natural and understandable. Only the most practised speech givers are likely to not feel any nerves when presenting. Let’s face facts, how many of us stand up and make speeches on a regular basis?

You may be surprised that on the day your worries may actually disappear as you are busy enjoying the day. And if you get emotional while reading the speech, go with the flow. Embrace the emotion and be true to you.

Here are some tips to help combat nerves:

• Have a copy to read from
• Practise breathing techniques to help restore calm
• Remind yourself there is no judgement here
• Practise and get a friendly ear to listen
• Share your worries with a mate

 Photo: Jasmine Andrews via Vineyard Wedding Ideas

 

What To Write The Speech On?

You could write your speech on:

• A4/A5 paper
• Notebook
• Tablet
• Phone
• Individual cards

There are so many options on where to digitally store or write your speech. Be sure to have multiple copies, send to a trusted person and a backup on a device in case. That way if you forget it, or it gets lost you can access it via the cloud, email or on an app.

By the way, it’s fine to perform your speech by reading it. You don’t need to memorise it off by heart.

Best Man Weddig Speech Template Free Download

Now you’ve heard all my top speech giving tips, it’s time to download and use my free speech template tool. It’s hosted on google docs, all you need to do is click to access.

The template is best used on google docs laptop/desktop for the swanky features I’ve added. But can absolutely be used on mobile/tablets too. Be sure to read the instructions on the first page of the download on how to use it. Log into your google account, click on file, then make a copy!

Snag The Template Here

I hope the template is really helpful and enables you write your wedding speech with ease.

 

 

Further Reading

• Who Does Wedding Speeches?
• 101 Kick-Ass Stag Do Ideas
• Real Groom Suit Ideas
• Groom’s Wedding Speech Template